Reticule

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a reticule featuring both rapid close-quarters target acquisition and precise distance shooting functionality. The reticule features a broad central aiming ring and four sets of aiming point-indicating dots. The lowest set comprises dots of differing dimensions and distances apart. Ranging rings are also provided. An alternate embodiment also comprises a highlighting ring around the aiming ring. The reticule can be illuminated through known or future discovered means for low-light or night shooting. A further alternate embodiment features an aiming ring constructed of a plurality of transparent cells, thereby allowing a user to see through the aiming ring and allow a less busy reticule with easier illumination capability.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation-in-Part of prior application Ser. No.10/708,288, filed Feb. 23, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. x,xxx,xxx, issuedxx/xx/2005.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patentdisclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent filesor records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of reticules, and moreparticularly relates to a reticule for a telescopic sight system whilebeing useful in both rapid target acquisition in close quarters combatand precise distance shooting situations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reticules are well known in the prior art. They are used in anysituation where aiming any type of device is necessary, ranging frommedical devices to weapons. Reticule types range from the traditional“crosshairs” to dots, circles, other geometric shapes, and moveablecross lines or any combination of the above. For example, U.S. Pat. No.6,681,512 (2004) to Sammut; U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,537 (2003) to Smith;U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,595 (2002) to Sammut; U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,158 (2002)to Smith, III; U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,921 (2000) to Lawrence, et al.; U.S.Pat. No. 4,957,357 (1990) to Barnes, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,618,221(1986) to Thomas; U.S. Pat. No. 4,263,719 (1981) to Murdoch; U.S. Pat.No. 3,948,587 (1976) to Rubbert; U.S. Pat. No. 3,782,822 (1974) toSpence; U.S. Pat. No. 3,392,450 (1968) to Herter, et al.; U.S. Pat. No.2,420,273 (1944) to West; U.S. Pat. No. 1,190,121 (1916) to Critchett;U.S. Pat. No. 1,088,137 (1914) to Fidjeland; U.S. Pat. No. 912,050(1909) to Wanee; and U.S. Pat. No. 189,721 (1877) to Freund are allillustrative of the prior art.

While the aforementioned inventions accomplish their individualobjectives, they do not describe a reticule that is useful for bothrapid close range target acquisition and precision shooting at adistance. In this respect, the reticule according to the presentinvention departs substantially from the usual designs in the prior art.In doing so, this invention provides a simple reticule using an aimingpoint strategy in its design and functionality. The reticule accordingto the present invention also incorporates a plurality of aiming pointsrepresented as dots of different scales to facilitate use at variousranges, from 10 to 600 yards or beyond. Prior reticules attempt tocompensate for drop of a bullet over distance by increasing the distancebetween provided reticule guidelines. The reticule according to thepresent invention does not attempt to do so. In the present invention, aset of smaller scale dots provides a reference point for a shooter touse after practicing with a particular weapon over time, therebyavoiding problems of translating the results of “average” weapons to aparticular weapon. Simultaneously, the reticule according to the presentinvention covers less of a target area, decreasing uncertainty andhaving a corresponding increase in hit potential.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofreticule, this invention provides an improved reticule with varyingscales for use in multiple range environments. As such, the presentinvention's general purpose is to provide a new and improved reticulethat will allow a user to improve accuracy and time at a distancewithout being a hindrance at close range.

To accomplish this goal and still maintain a utility derived fromsimplicity, the reticule according to the present invention comprises amain aiming ring with a series of aiming dots extending from the ring inwhat would be considered the cardinal directions. The aiming ring isutilized for speed and accuracy in close targeting scenarios, providinga broad, easily identifiable aiming point. The “southern” portion of thetargeting ring is empty, allowing for a series of aiming dots to extendfrom the center of the ring to the bottom of the reticule. As thesouthern dots extend from the ring, they gradually are reduced in sizeand are spaced at a lesser distance apart. Thin reference rings arepositioned towards the bottom of the reticule for range estimation. Thereticule may be made of a luminous material, or may be electronically orchemically induced to glow for night and low light use.

The more important features of the invention have thus been outlined inorder that the more detailed description that follows may be betterunderstood and in order that the present contribution to the art maybetter be appreciated. Additional features of the invention will bedescribed hereinafter and will form the subject matter of the claimsthat follow.

Many objects of this invention will appear from the followingdescription and appended claims, reference being made to theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification wherein likereference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views.

Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, itis to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangements of the componentsset forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced andcarried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basisfor the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carryingout the several purposes of the present invention. It is important,therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalentconstructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the reticule according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of the reticule.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a further alternate embodiment of the reticule.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of thereticule is herein described. Referring specifically to FIG. 1, reticule100 is has a central aiming ring 110, a plurality of varying sizedranging rings 120, 122, 124, 126, and four sets of dots in linearpatterns defining four cardinal directions, 130N, 130S, 130E, 130W.Throughout this application and in the claims, the term “dot” is used todefine an indicator of the location of generic aiming points on thereticule. The term “dot” may be used of indicators of any shape, such astriangles, crosshairs, ovals and rectangles, and need not necessarily becircles. Aiming ring 110 is not a complete ring, as it is open towardsthe southern direction. Dot set 130S initiates in the center of thereticule with central aiming point 135 and is comprised of dots of threedifferent sizes and two different spacing intervals, as shall bedescribed later in this specification. Labeled quick count lines 132,134, 136 may be provided at any interval, though the shown preferredembodiment is an interval of 5. Ranging ring 120 is labeled “3” on thereticule. Alternate reticule embodiment 101, shown in FIG. 2 alsocomprises a highlighting ring 115, bordering aiming ring 110 and alsoopen in the southern direction.

The utility of the reticule 100 is found in the set spacing and sizes ofthe individual components relative to each other. The reticule uses thesame basic perspective principles used in other ranging reticules, thatis that objects appear smaller the further they are away from a viewer.Aiming ring 110 has a thickness of 4 Minutes Of Angle (“MOA”). 1 MOA isroughly equivalent to 1 inch at 100 yards. Its diameter is 18 MOA,leaving a 10 MOA window interior. When highlighting ring 115 is used, ithas a thickness of 1 MOA and is 1 MOA distant from the outer boarder ofaiming ring 110, for a total diameter of 22 MOA. Each of the dots indirectional sets 130N, 130E, and 130W are 0.75 MOA, and the centralaiming point 135 is 1 MOA. The next highest dots in set 130S are 0.75MOA. Each of these dots has an interval spacing of 3.5 MOA. Staring withthe dot labeled “5” in the southern set 130S, the remaining dots are 0.5MOA and have an interval spacing of 2 MOA. Ranging rings 120, 122, 124,126 have diameters of 3.33 MOA, 2.5 MOA, 2 MOA, and 1.67 MOArespectively. To maintain proper perspective of relative sizes of thereticule components with potential targets, the reticule should bepositioned either on or next to the objective lens of any telescopicsighting devices, thereby magnifying the reticule in the same power asthe target and maintaining proportion.

In use, the reticule according to the present invention provides arapidly identified aiming point in close quarters combat situations, asthe reticule provides an easily identified center target with aimingring 110. This is especially true if the sighting device is set at zeromagnification, thus diminishing all other reticule components from view.The reticule also provides ranging capability for more accurate distanceshooting. Aiming ring 110 and ranging rings 120, 122, 124, and 126 areset to measure the equivalent of 10-inch targets at 100, 300, 400, 500,and 600 yards distance. Central aiming point 135 is the center of aimingring 110 and therefore defines the diameter of a 5 MOA circle with anysingle point within the inner rim of the aiming ring 110. Thiscorresponds to a 10-inch target at 200 yards. While the four rangingrings are provided in the preferred embodiment, more or fewer rings maybe employed in the practice of this invention. Likewise, differentshapes may also be used, though in all embodiments the shapes should bemere outlines, allowing a user to see past the shape.

For distance shooting, it is important to consider the drop of a bulletover distance. The amount of drop will be determined by a number offactors, including barrel length, rifling, bullet weight, charge ofammunition, etc. Together, these factors are called a “package” and areusually uniform over time for a user's weapon. The scope can be zeroedso that the central aiming point 135 represents where a bullet will hitat 200 yards. Once this is set, a user merely practices with his or herparticular weapon package to determine at which dot in the southern set130S a bullet will hit at specified yardage. Since the lower portion ofsouthern set 130S is used in distance shooting, the dots are smaller andthe distance between them is smaller, so that less of a target iscovered by a dot at greater distance from the shooter. With less of atarget covered, there is greater accuracy in the shooting due to lessuncertainty as to the actual spot where the bullet will hit. In thepresent embodiment, a 0.5 MOA dot will cover only 3 inches of a targetat 600 yards. The distance between the dots in the lower range is 2 MOA,corresponding to 12 inches at 600 yards. The central aiming dot 135would cover 6 inches at 600 yards, presenting double the uncertainty anda corresponding drop in accuracy.

Through practice, a user may note where a bullet will hit on thereticule at a determined distance. Afterwards, when a user picks atarget of a known size, comparisons are made with ranging rings 120,122, 124, and 126, as well as with the interior of aiming ring 110, todetermine distance. When aiming at the target, the user merely picks theappropriate aiming point from the dots in set 130S and fires, hittingthe target. The preferred embodiment attaches no external significanceto the aiming points represented by the dots, unlike various other priorart reticules which attempt to compensate for the amount of drop abullet will have over distance. The importance of the smaller dots andsmaller distance between them is for better accuracy with a particularweapon. Remaining dot sets 130N, 130E, 130W are ideally set to a uniformstandard, for instance the standard military dot ranging system, and areuseful as guides for windage and canting calculations and for ranging inhorizontal and vertical planes.

In low light situations, the reticule may be illuminated throughconventional means, or means to be discovered. Ideally, ranging rings120, 122, 124, 126, dots sets 130N, 130S, 130E, 130W, and aiming ring110 would have illumination capability. Highlighting ring 115 is used inthose situations where illumination of the central aiming ring 110 isdifficult or impossible.

In an alternate embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the aiming ring 310 iscomposed of a plurality of transparent cells 305, allowing a user to seethrough a portion of the aiming ring 310. Lines 303, which are ofuniform thickness as the lines used to demarcate other portions of thereticle 301, divide the ring 310 into the cells 305. Cells 305 may be ofany shape, though regular polygons, such as the diamond pattern shown inFIG. 3, circles and ovals are preferred. Ideally, lines 303 should bethinner than cells 305, allowing a user to see “through” over ½ of thearea covered by the aiming ring 310. This construction of the aimingring 310 allows a user to look through the aiming ring 310 while stillhaving the capacity to use it. It is also easier to illuminate aimingring 310 when using the depicted or similar cell constructions, asuniform lines are easier to illuminate using current technology. Dots307, 335 and rings 320, 322, 324, and 326 may also be turned into cellswith an interior cross-hatching or other construction without hinderingthe practice of this invention. Likewise, dots 307 and 335 and rings320, 322, 324, 326, may be of any shape, and may actually mimic theconstruction of cells 305.

Although the present invention has been described with reference topreferred embodiments, numerous modifications and variations can bemade, such as altering the shape of the dots or the cells, and still theresult will come within the scope of the invention. No limitation withrespect to the specific embodiments disclosed herein is intended orshould be inferred.

1. A reticule comprising: a central aiming ring of significantthickness, said ring defining a center and further comprising: aplurality of transparent cells; and an incomplete perimeter on a bottomside of the ring; and at least one set of guide dots, with at least oneset of guide dots originating in the center of the aiming ring with acentral aiming dot and said set of guide dots extending through theincomplete perimeter of the aiming ring into an area external of theaiming ring; wherein, each set of guide dots is arranged as a series ofdots, each pair of adjacent dots having an interstitial spacing,extending in a straight linear fashion and each dot represents a genericaiming point.
 2. The reticule of claim 1, the set originating from thecenter of the aiming ring being comprised of at least two differentsized dots, with larger dots being positioned near the center of thereticule.
 3. The reticule of claim 2, wherein of the dots only thecentral aiming dot has any attached significance external the reticule.4. The reticule of claim 1, further comprising at least one rangingsystem.
 5. The reticule of claim 4, wherein a ranging system is a set ofat least one ranging rings.
 6. The reticule of claim 1, furthercomprising an illumination means.
 7. The reticule of claim 1, whereinthe central aiming ring is approximately four times thicker than thecentral aiming dot.
 8. The reticule of claim 1, further comprising ahighlighting ring circumscribing the aiming ring.
 9. The reticule ofclaim 1, further comprising at least one reference line indicating anordinal position of at least one dot in the set of dots originating fromthe center of the reticule.
 10. The reticule of claim 1, theinterstitial spacing between dots being smaller for pairs of dotsfurthest from the center dot than for a pair of dots including thecentral aiming dot.
 11. The reticule of claim 1, wherein there is arefour sets of guide dots, each defining a cardinal direction and the setextending in the southern direction is the set originating from thecenter.
 12. The reticule of claim 11, the set originating from thecenter of the aiming ring being comprised of at least two differentsized dots, with larger dots being positioned near the center of thereticule.
 13. The reticule of claim 12, wherein of the dots only thecentral aiming dot has any attached significance external the reticule.14. The reticule of claim 11, wherein the sets of dots, except the setcontaining the central aiming dot, conform to a standard scale.
 15. Thereticule of claim 1, the cells' shape being selected from the set ofshapes consisting of circles, ovals, quadrilaterals, pentagons,hexagons, heptagons, octagons, nonagons, and decagons.
 16. The reticuleof claim 1, the central aiming ring being comprised of transparent cellsin a manner that allows less than 2 of an area defined by the aimingring to be obscured.